Nikiski North Star Elementary School

Posted: Sunday, August 15, 2004

History: The North Star Elementary building was constructed in 1987 but "reopens" as a new school community this fall due to the consolidation of Nikiski and North Star elementary schools. The school is expected to serve about 380 kindergarten through sixth-grade students.

Contact information

Principal Lori Manion

lmanion@kpbsd.k12.ak.us

Secretary

Kellie Steiner-Kelso

kkelso@kpbsd.k12.ak.us

Mail-phone:

P.O. Box 8629

Nikiski, AK 99635

776-5575 (phone)

776-8423 (fax)

Demographics: As of the spring of 2004, Nikiski Elemen-tary School has a 77 percent Caucasian student population, with 1 percent of students identified as African-American; 2 percent Hispanic; 2 percent Asian-Pacific Islander; 3 percent American Indian and 23 percent Alaska Native. About 19 percent of students experienced disabilities, and 47 percent came from economically disadvantaged homes. Mean-while, North Star Elementary had a 79 percent Caucasian population, with 2 percent Hispanic, 2 percent Asian-Pacific Islander and 16 percent Alaska Native. About 18 percent of the students experienced disabilities, and 40 percent came from economically disadvantaged homes.

Staffing: This fall, Nikiski North Star will have a full-time administrator, 16 teachers, a half-time specialist position, three special education teachers and more than three special education aide positions. There also will be a part-time nurse, 1.5 secretary positions and three custodians. The teachers at the school have a combined average of 13 years experience with the district.

AYP: In 2002-03, both Nikiski and North Star elementary schools did not meet adequate yearly progress, due to low "proficiency" rates among special education students. In 2003-04, both schools made the grade. At North Star, 79 percent of the students were proficient in language arts and 66 percent in math. At Nikiski, 70 percent were proficient in language arts and 59 percent passed math. New regulations made the schools' students with disabilities subgroups too small to count.

Cocurricular: Nikiski North Star Elementary School will operate an intramural sports program and participate in academic competitions.